Getting Involved With Student Senate

Thank you for your interest in the Grand Valley State University Student Senate. There are many ways that you can become involved with YOUR Student Senate.

Speak your Mind

The Senate convenes every Thursday for a meeting of the General Assembly. All members of the campus community are welcome to observe and/or address the Senate during General Assembly meetings. There are three opportunities (beginning, middle, and end) for public comment at each meeting. Meetings typically last 1-2 hours. Check our schedule for times and locations.

Volunteer

While programming is not our primary focus, the Senate does host a few of its own events including Last Lecture and University Leadership Round Table. On a larger scale, Student Senate collaborates with the Laker Traditions Team and other student organizations to host campus-wide events such as the Battle of the Valleys charity competition and Presidents' Ball. We depend on the efforts of numerous volunteers to make our beloved campus traditions possible each year.

Sit On A University Committee

The Senate makes appointments to many University Committees. These committees focus on a number of topics ranging from academic to campus issues to positions on the University Judiciary Board. If you are interested in serving as a student representative, please call the Student Senate office at (616) 331-2333 or email senates@gvsu.edu.

Become A Senator

There are two ways to become a Student Senator:

Run for election

Toward the end of the winter semester each year, the student body elects 44 of the 50 Senators for the upcoming academic year.

Any interested undergraduate or graduate student can secure a spot on the ballot by filling out an election packet (made available in late February) and obtaining 75 student signatures and two faculty signatures

A university-wide election is held online for seven days during the last week of March. The 44 candidates with the most votes are elected to the Student Senate

6 of the 50 seats are reserved for incoming students and are filled at the beginning of the fall semester

Apply for a vacant seat:

Students can apply for one of the six open seats in the fall or as vacancies occur throughout the year.

Applicants applying for a vacant seat must interview with the Senate Resources Committee.

Interviews and appointments will be conducted in accordance with the Student Senate Bylaws and Policies and Procedures